Essentials for a Superfood Smoothie

The hardest part about eating right is getting all the proper nutrients you need in your diet everyday. Eating healthy takes strict discipline and is probably one of the hardest things to do considering there are so many unhealthy foods out there as distractions. And if you’re just a picky eater it’s even harder. But there is good news for everyone out there looking to eat better and it’s really so easy! It’s called a superfood smoothie!

Ever since Jack Lalanne introduced us to his juicer in the 1970s, drinking your fruit and vegetables has become a trendy and more efficient way to get all those nutrients you’ve been missing out on. Recently though, many nutritionists and dietitians have claimed, through studies, that the best way to get more out of juicing is actually through a smoothie. Smoothies don’t leave out the pulp and fiber that juicing takes away. When you juice you lose out on a lot of the essential nutrients your body needs. So in a sense, juicing is counteractive. You still need the pulp! A smoothie is blended, rather than pressed or extracted, like in a juicer. So we aren’t saying don’t juice, but know that if you’re not big into eating fruit and veggies by themselves, juice will be counteractive for you. You will still need to get all that fiber in your diet, so expect to eat more fruits and veggies along side your juice. But not with a smoothie! Everything you need is all in there and nothing has been left out. Smoothies can actually be so good you don’t even realize you’re drinking something healthy. So give it a try and I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

To Juice or Not to Juice?

So what are the essentials for a superfood smoothie? You will need a blender, veggies, fruit, superfood powder or oils, along with water, almond milk or coconut water. Its up to you to decide! Regarding taste, it is actually one of the biggest factors when it comes to a good tasting smoothie. It is completely up to your taste buds. In the beginning of testing out your smoothie adventure, be risky and adventurous. There are no limits to what you can come up with.

We suggest trying fruits and vegetables you’re comfortable with and then work your way to experimenting with more exotic ingredients. Most nutritionists and dietitians will suggest that your smoothies follow a 50/50 rule: use 50 percent leafy greens like spinach, kale or collard greens, other 50 percent use fruit that is low on sugar like berries like blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. They are a natural way to reduce the effects of aging, while also improving your heart health. Others suggested the essentials are fruit that are fiber-dense, like apples, pineapple, pears and peaches. Be careful thought, some of those are higher on sugar. Use moderation with those. Some other, more “exotic,” ingredients you can add are avocados, greek yogurt, almonds, walnuts, organic peanut butter, just to name a few. These are packed with protein and fatty acids that are must in your diet. We’ve complied a list of the must haves for creating the best smoothie out there.

Superfood Must Haves

When supplementing your meal plan with smoothies, it’s important to fill them up with quality clean foods. If you’ve been using or have considered pre-packaged smoothies or smoothies made at fast food restaurants, be sure to know what's involved with them. Some of these can essentially be filled with sugar and be fat-laden, the nutritional equivalent to a can of soda. So why be counteractive? That’s where superfoods come to the rescue. Superfoods are essentially nutrient powerhouses, loaded with antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins and much more ingredients to keep your body at it’s best while helping to fight off illness and disease as well as great for dieting. These usually come in freeze dried powders or oils. Put a scoop in with your fruit and veggies. Your body will thank you later.

A type of single-celled blue-green alga, spirulina grows in fresh warm waters around the world and has been used as a food source since ancient times. In addition to essential nutrients—including vitamins, minerals and proteins—spirulina is a source of chlorophyll, the natural pigment plants use to convert sunlight into energy.

Acai is native to the tropical flood plains of Central and South America and was first used medicinally by Amazon cultures. Acai is loaded with antioxidants, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The berries also contain a combination of many essential amino acids. Acai possesses many other micronutrients, including resveratrol, polyphenols and flavonoids all over which are very benefician when added to any superfood smoothie.

For centuries, chia seeds were used as a staple food by ancient Aztecs, Incans and Mayans. Known as the running food, they would eat this for high energy endurance. Loaded with nutrients such as calcium, protein, anti-oxidants and dietary fiber. Chia protein also contains all of the essential amino acids to provide a nutritional punch!

Coconut oil contains medium and short chain fatty acids which have been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The taste will be great to any summer superfood smoothie or if you are a coconut fan!

Hemp protein is nature's perfect fuel. Packed with vital nutrients, energy and anti-inflammatory properties, hemp protein is a true superfood. It is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. It has all of the essential amino acids needed by the human body, including a balanced Omega 3-6-9 fatty acid profile. Cannabis sativa which this is made out of, provides countless benefits and does not contain THC, the psychoactive compounds in its sister plant, Cannabis Indica. So you won’t have to worry about getting high after drinking your superfood smoothie!

Maca is a root vegetable believed to help increase energy, reduce fatigue and improve libido, a great addition to any superfood smoothie. Ancient Incan warriors were legendary for consuming generous amounts of maca in preparation for battle, significantly maximizing their stamina and energy levels. Maca is an adaptogen, facilitating the body's ability to adapt to regulate stress responses and balance hormones. Today, athletes of all types benefit from daily maca consumption.

Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, are one of the most nutritionally-rich foods on the planet. They're loaded with immune-boosting antioxidants, vitamins A and C, iron, potassium and protein, great in a superfood smoothie for anyone coming off a cold. Praised for thousands of years in Asia for their health benefits, goji berries are now being celebrated in Western cultures for their superfood potential to bring longevity, vitality, and energy. Now you can enjoy goji berries in a potent, easy-to-use powder.

Find the Right Blender

There are so many blenders out there that are good but there are a few out there that superfood smoothie enthusiasts love the most. Get yourself a blender that has proven to get the job done right!

The 900-watt NutriBullet Pro 900 features unique extraction blades and exclusive cyclonic action to break down, pulverize, and emulsify whole fruits and vegetables better than any standard blender or juicer, creating silky-smooth nutrient-extracted beverages that nourish your system from the inside out. Great for those who are active in their lives and proactive about their health, the NutriBullet Pro 900 makes ultra-nutritious NutriBlast superfood smoothies to enjoy at home or on-the-go.

Seen on the Ellen show, Cleanblend has designed the perfect blender to help you through the journey to better health. It is a 3 horsepower, dynamo of a blender, that will liquefy fruits and vegetables to get the most vitamins, proteins and antioxidants from the whole food into one delicious superfood smoothie. The Cleanblend blender is less expensive than its competition but with all the same features.

The Ferrari of blenders. The Vitamix sets the bar when it comes to quality blenders. There is very little limit to what can be done with this blender, as you can prepare everything from superfood smoothies to soups and a million other options in between. With a Vitamix on your counter, you will likely feel inspired to test out many new recipes and ideas.

The Nutri Ninja with Auto-iQ takes the guesswork out of drink making! Auto-iQ Technology features intelligent programs that combine unique, timed pulsing, blending and pausing patterns that do the work for you! All you need to do grab your superfood smoothie and get healthy!

The Jamba Appliances Quiet Blend Blender offers powerful performance and versatility in the kitchen with pulse function, variable speed control, and a quiet shield for blending without the loud noise associated with traditional blenders.